Beloved, I am glad to share with you today the above theme from Ps 133:1 and following. Indeed, verse 1 of Psalm 133 should always be able to find its application in the congregation and in our families. Is that so? When brothers and sisters live together, it is a good and pleasant thing for themselves, but above all for the heart of the Father. The members of God’s family are united with one another because they are related to the same Person, Christ; they form like the edge of His garment: what is visible from Him here on earth (Exodus 28:31-35). He is above, true Aaron, high priest; but He gave His Spirit who, like a “precious oil,” descends upon the brethren gathered where God commanded the eternal blessing (Acts 2:32-33; Eph 4:1-6).
“Behold, oh! How pleasant it is, how sweet it is for the brothers to stay together! There is no doubt that King David, in this psalm, gives thanks to God for the peace and harmony that had followed a long and melancholic state of confusion and division in the kingdom, and that he would exhort each individual individually to study peacekeeping. This is the subject developed, at least to the extent that the brevity of the psalm admits it: There was ample reason to praise god’s goodness in the highest terms, to unite in a people that had been so deplorably divided. When he first arrived in the kingdom, most of the nation regarded him as an enemy of the public good and was alienated from it. Indeed, the quarrel that existed was so deadly that nothing but the destruction of the opposition party seemed to offer the prospect of peace. For the hand of God was admirably seen, and quite unexpectedly, in the ensuing concord among them, when those who had been inflamed with the most violent antipathy united cordially.
This particularity in the circumstances that gave rise to the Psalm was by interpreters, considered that David passes a general recommendation on fraternal union, without such a particular reference. The exclamation with which the Psalm opens, Behold! is particularly expressive, not only by showing the state of affairs visible before our eyes, but by suggesting a contrast between the sweetness of peace and those civil unrest that had almost torn the kingdom apart. He exposes god’s goodness in exalted terms, the Jews having through a long experience of infighting, learned the inestimable value of union: This should not be understood by some, who confused the meaning of the psalmist, but as adding emphasis to the context. We, as he had said, who were naturally brothers, had become so divided, that we looked at each other with a hatred more bitter than any foreign enemy, but now, how good it is to cultivate a spirit of fraternal concord!
For there can be no doubt at the same time that the Holy Spirit is considered to praise in this passage this mutual harmony that subsists among all the children of God, and exhorting us to do everything possible to maintain it. As long as animosities divide us and heartburn prevails among us, we can still be brothers by the common relationship with God, but cannot be judged that we present the appearance of a broken and dismembered body. As we are one in God the Father and in Christ, the union must be ratified among us through reciprocal harmony and brotherly love. If it were thus happened in god’s providence that the religious would return to that holy concord which they have apostatized, it would be in these terms that we would be called to give thanks to God, and in the meantime we are bound to receive in our fraternal embraces all those who joyfully submit to the Lord.
So, we must oppose those turbulent spirits that the devil will never fail to arouse in the Church, and be seductive in maintaining relations with those who show a docile disposition: The peace that David recommends is such that it begins in the true head, and this is more than enough to refute the unfounded accusation of schism and division that has been made against us by the religious, while we gave ample evidence of our desire that they would. So merge with us in the truth of God, which is the only bond of holy union.
For if there are some who do not agree with these terms, we had better oppose them vigorously, rather than buy peace at the expense of God’s honor: We must maintain that when the priest is mentioned, it is in the intimate, that concord takes off in the true and pure worship of God, while through the beard and skirts of the garments, we are led to understand that the peace that springs from Christ as his head, spreads throughout the length and breadth of the Church. The other figure, dew descending on Mount Zion and Hermon, indicates that a holy unity not only has a sweet flavor before God, but produces good effects, because the dew moistens the earth and provides it with sap and freshness. Moses, we know, said of Judea that it was not like Egypt fertilized by the overflows of its river, but as it drank daily from the rain of heaven. (Dt 11:11.) David suggests that man’s life would be sterile, unprofitable, and miserable, unless supported by fraternal harmony. It is obvious that Mount Hermon must have been rich and fruitful, being famous among the pastures. The mountains depend mainly on the fertility of the dew of the sky, and this has been demonstrated in the case of The Mountain of Zion. David concludes that God commands His blessing where peace is cultivated; that is, it testifies to how satisfied the bond is with the concord between men, pouring out blessings to them.
The same sentiment is expressed by Paul in other words, (2 Cor 13:11; Ph 4:9). “Live in peace, and the God of peace will be with you.” Let’s therefore study to walk in brotherly love, so that we may obtain God’s blessing. Let’s even extend our arms to those who differ from us, eager to welcome them if they only return to the unity of faith. Do they refuse? So let them go. We recognize no brotherhood except among God’s children.
From all of the above, we note that the previous psalm was a hymn of the captives, as they approached Jerusalem and the house of God. This one follows on, and is suitable for those who are going to enter this house. It was indeed the center of the tribes, the place of the common joy of Israel, where as a result, the precious oil of fraternal unity was poured out, as we see here, to make the house good, pleasant and prosperous under the dew of divine blessing. For the saints remembered this psalm in the assemblies in Jerusalem, in the days of the New Testament, in Acts 2. It can also be the bubbling of the heart of a saint, expressing his joy before the harmony of the brothers. He will also be able to express the feelings of God’s Israel in the last days when, according to their desire, they will taste peace and national restoration. For the coming days of the kingdom have been announced as follows: “On this day,” said the Lord of hosts, “ye shall invite each his neighbor under the vine and under the fig tree” (Zech 3:10). This “house” that will reach the brothers returned from captivity, will be witness and guarantor of their “unity”. Happy prospect! She should then arm us with a spirit of patience and support during the pilgrimage; for soon everything will be in order. We are on our way to “what is perfect.” Now the brothers dwell together in unity. It is like the oil of Aaron’s anointing which, spread over his head, communicated to everything else the fragrance of divine favor; like the abundant dew of the Hermon which, however high its source, carried its refreshing power where God had commanded blessing and life for eternity. Our prayers are with you all.
The following verses have been compiled for your edification and grouped together for your better understanding.
How good it is for the brothers to live together:
· Friendship between believers
Ps 119:63 I am the friend of all who fear you, and of those who keep your ordinances. Ml 3:16 Then those who fear jehovah spoke to each other; The Lord was attentive, and he listened; And a book of remembrance was written before him for those who fear the Lord and honor his name. Acts 2:42 They persevered in the teaching of the apostles, in fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Phil 1:3:5 I thank my God for all the memory I have of you, 5 for showing my joy about the part you take in the gospel from day one until now. 1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as He himself is in the light, we are mutually in communion, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.
· Exhortation to Unity
1 Cor 1:10 I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to hold all the same language, and not to have divisions among you, but to be perfectly united in the same spirit and in the same feeling. 2 Cor 13:11 For the rest, brethren, be joyful, perfect yourself, console yourselves, have the same feeling, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. Eph 4:3 striving to maintain the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace. Phil 1:27 Only, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, that either I may come to see you or remain absent, I hear of you that you remain firm in the same spirit, fighting with the same soul for the faith of the gospel, 1 Pet 3:8 Finally, be all animated by the same thoughts and feelings, full of brotherly love, compassion, humility.
· Anointing oil
Ex 30:25 Thou shalt make with this an oil for holy anointing, composition of perfumes according to the art of the perfumer; it will be the oil for holy anointing. Ex 37:29 He made the oil for the holy anointing, and the fragrant perfume, pure, composed according to the art of the perfumer. 1 Sam 10:1 Samuel took a vial of oil, which he poured over Saul’s head. He fucked him, and said, Has not the Lord anointed you that you may be the head of his inheritance? Ps 133:2 It is like the precious oil which, spread on the head, Descends on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, Who descends on the edge of his clothes.
· Eternal life, general references
Dn 12:2 Many who sleep in the dust of the earth will wake up, some for eternal life, and others for opprobrium, for eternal shame. Mt 25:46 And these will go to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life. Jn 10:28 The thief comes only to steal, slaughter and destroy; I have come that the sheep may have life, and that they may be in abundance. Rom 6:22 But now, being freed from sin and becoming slaves of God, your fruit is holiness and eternal life is the end. 1 Tim 6:19 and thus amass for the future a treasure placed on a solid foundation, in order to grasp true life. 1 John 2:25 And the promise He made to us is eternal life. Jude 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ for eternal life.
PRAYER OF ACCEPTANCE OF JESUS CHRIST AS LORD AND PERSONAL SAVIOR
I now invite every person who wants to become a new creation by walking in the truth, to pray with me the following prayer:
Lord Jesus, I have long walked in the lusts of the world ignoring your love for humans. I admit to having sinned against you and ask your forgiveness for all my sins, because today I have decided to give you my life by taking you as Lord and personal Savior. I recognize that you died on the cross of Calvary and rose from the dead for me.
I am now saved and born again by the power of the Holy Spirit. Lead me every day to the eternal life that you give to all who obey your Word. Reveal yourself to me and strengthen my heart and faith, so that your light may shine in my life right now.
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for accepting me into your divine family, so that I may also contemplate the wonders of your kingdom.
I will now choose a nearby waterpoint to baptize myself by immersion, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
All adoration, power and glory are yours, now and forever and ever. Amen!
I would be happy to respond to any questions and comments you may have, before sharing with you tomorrow ” the praise of the God who protects the oppressed.”
May the Lord Jesus Christ bless you abundantly.
David Feze, Servant of the Almighty God.